Collection device and detection device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a collection device capable of collecting a virus or the like effectively. The collection device according to the present disclosure is an autonomous collection device (2) for collecting an object having an analyte and moisture from a floor surface. The autonomous collection device (2) comprises a drying part (18) for drying the object, a suction opening (36) for suctioning the object dried by the drying part, and a dust container (12) for storing the object suctioned from the suction opening.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a collection device for collecting anobject having an analyte such as a virus or a bacterium and water from afloor surface. The present disclosure also relates to a detection devicecomprising the collection device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for detecting a virus in orderto suppress an outbreak (namely, a pandemic) of infection of aninfluenza virus. In patent Literature 1, the virus floating in the airin a building is collected.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.    2012-052866A

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a collection device capable ofcollecting a virus effectively. The present disclosure provides adetection device comprising the collection device.

The collection device according to the present disclosure is acollection device for collecting an object having an analyte andmoisture from a floor surface, the collection device comprising:

a drying part for drying the object;

a suction part for sucking the object dried by the drying part; and

a storage part for storing the object sucked by the suction part.

The detection device according to the present disclosure comprises theabove-mentioned collection device and a detection instrument forconnecting fluidically to the collection device when the collectiondevice moves to a predetermined position, for acquiring the objectstored in the storage part, and for detecting the analyte from theacquired object.

Note that these comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized by amethod, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording mediumsuch as a computer-readable CD-ROM, or realized by an arbitrarycombination of the method, the integrated circuit, the computer program,and the recording medium.

The collection device according to the present disclosure can collect avirus effectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a detection device according to afirst embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a bottom surface of an autonomouscollection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a station device according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the station deviceaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows a transverse cross-sectional view of the station deviceaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5B shows a transverse cross-sectional view of the station deviceaccording to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an internal structure of a virusdetection part in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of operation of the detection device according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a process diagram of the operation of the detection deviceaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of operation of the virus detection part in thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a process diagram of the operation of the virus detectionpart according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a station deviceaccording to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a transfer process of an object from anautonomous collection device to the station device according to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of an autonomous collection deviceaccording to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of a bottom surface of an autonomouscollection device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a partially enlarged diagram of a bottom surface of anautonomous collection device according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a suction opening, a blowingopening, and a vicinity thereof which are included in the autonomouscollection device according to the fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

Examples of an analyte that can be detected in the present embodimentare viruses and bacteria.

First Embodiment

[Details of Detection Device]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a detection device according to thefirst embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the detection device 1 according to the firstembodiment comprises an autonomous collection device 2 and a stationdevice 5.

In the drawing, the X axis indicates the front-rear direction of theautonomous collection device 2. The Y axis indicates the width directionof the autonomous collection device 2. The Z axis indicates the heightdirection of the autonomous collection device 2. The Y axis isperpendicular to the X axis. The Z axis is also perpendicular to the Xaxis. The Z axis is also perpendicular to the Y axis. The arrow Aindicates the forward direction of the autonomous collection device 2.The arrow B indicates the backward direction of the autonomouscollection device 2. Dashed lines are used to represent internalstructures that are basically invisible to the outside.

The autonomous collection device 2 is one example of a collectiondevice. The autonomous collection device 2 is also referred to as arobot cleaner. The autonomous collection device 2 collects an object ona floor surface, while autonomously moving on the floor surface. Afterthe collection, the autonomous collection device 2 autonomously returnsto the station device 5. In the first embodiment, the autonomouscollection device 2 moves forward to leave the station device 5. Theautonomous collection device 2 moves backward to return to the stationdevice 5.

The object on the floor surface is solid or liquid. An example of thesolid object on the floor surface is a virus itself attached to thefloor surface, dust adhering to the virus, or a dry adsorbent. The dryadsorbent will be described later. An example of the liquid on the floorsurface is saliva containing virus. An example of the floor surface is afloor surface of a waiting room in a hospital, a floor surface of animmigration office at an airport, or a floor surface of a living room ina house.

The station device 5 is one example of a detection instrument. Thestation device 5 is provided on the floor surface. The station device 5charges the autonomous collection device 2 through charging electrodes3, when the autonomous collection device 2 is located at the homeposition. The station device 5 further transfers the object collected bythe autonomous collection device 2 from the autonomous collection device2 to the station device 5. Subsequently, the station device 5 detects avirus from the object transferred from the autonomous collection device2.

[Details of Autonomous Collection Device]

Next, the autonomous collection device 2 according to the firstembodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.2. FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a bottom surface of the autonomouscollection device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the autonomous collection device 2 comprises a mainbody case 11, a dust container 12, a primary electric blower 13, amoving part 15, a drive part 16, a robot control part 17, a drying part18, and a secondary battery 19. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, theautonomous collection device 2 comprises a center brush 31 provided on abottom surface 11 a of the main body case 11 and a center brush drivepart 32 for driving the center brush 31. Hereinafter, the autonomouscollection device 2 will be described in detail.

[Main Body Case]

The main body case 11 has a hollow disk shape. The body case 11 isformed of, for example, synthetic resin. A horizontally long suctionopening 36 extending in the width direction thereof is provided at acenter of the rear part of the bottom surface 11 a of the main body case11.

The suction opening 36 has a width of about two thirds of the width(namely, the diameter) of the main body case 11. The suction opening 36is fluidically connected to the primary electric blower 13 through thedust container 12.

The main body case 11 has a dust container opening 37 on the bottomsurface 11 a. The dust container opening 37 is disposed behind thesuction opening 36 and in a part covering the lower part of the dustcontainer 12. The dust container opening 37 is a rounded rectangularopening. The dust container opening 37 partially exposes the dustcontainer 12 attached to the main body case 11.

[Dust Container]

The dust container 12 is one example of a storage part for storing theobject. In the first embodiment, the dust container 12 is detachablyprovided at the rear part of the main body case 11. The dust container12 stores the object sucked from the suction opening 36 by the suctionnegative pressure generated by the primary electric blower 13. A filteror a separation device is applied to the dust container 12. The filtercollects the object by filtering the air flowing together with theobject. The separation device separates the object from the air bycentrifugal separation (i.e. cyclone separation) or inertial separationof straight separation.

The dust container 12 is disposed behind the suction opening 36 and atthe rear part of the main body case 11. The dust container 12 comprisesa container main body 38 which is detachably provided on the main bodycase 11 and can store the object collected by the autonomous collectiondevice 2, a connection part 39 that is exposed from the dust containeropening 37 in a state where attached to the main body case 11, adisposal opening 41 that is provided in the connection part 39 andthrough which the object is passed when the object stored in thecontainer main body 38 is disposed of, and a disposal lid 42 for openingand closing the disposal opening 41.

[Primary Electric Blower]

The primary electric blower 13 is one example of a suction part forsucking the object on the floor surface. The primary electric blower 13is contained in the main body case 11 and connected to the dustcontainer 12. The primary electric blower 13 sucks the object on thefloor surface from the suction opening 36 through the dust container 12.

[Moving Part]

The moving part 15 is one example of a moving mechanism for moving onthe floor surface. The moving part 15 moves the autonomous collectiondevice 2 on the floor surface. Specifically, the moving part 15comprises a pair of left and right drive wheels 45 and a turning wheel46.

The pair of the drive wheels 45 is disposed on the bottom surface 11 aof the main body case 11 and protrudes from the bottom surface 11 a.Accordingly, the pair of the drive wheels 45 are grounded to the floorsurface in a state where the autonomous collection device 2 is placed onthe floor surface. The pair of the drive wheels 45 are disposed at asubstantially central part of the main body case 11 in the front-reardirection of the main body case 11, and are disposed on the left andright side parts in the width direction of the main body case 11. Eachrotation shaft of the pair of the drive wheels 45 is disposed inparallel to the width direction of the main body case 11. The autonomouscollection device 2 moves forward or backward by rotating the pair ofthe drive wheels 45 in the same direction. The autonomous collectiondevice 2 turns clockwise or counterclockwise by rotating the pair of thedrive wheels 45 in a direction opposite to each other.

The turning wheel 46 is a rotatable carrying wheel. The turning wheel 46is disposed at a substantially central part in the width direction ofthe bottom surface 11 a of the main body case 11 and at the front partof the main body case 11.

[Drive Part]

The drive part 16 drives the moving part 15. Specifically, the drivepart 16 is a pair of electric motors connected to the pair of the drivewheels 45. The drive part 16 drives the pair of the drive wheels 45independently.

[Robot Control Part]

The robot control part 17 is contained in the main body case 11. Therobot control part 17 controls the drive part 16 to autonomously movethe autonomous collection device 2 on the floor surface.

Specifically, the robot control part 17 comprises a microprocessor (notshown) and a storage device (not shown) that stores various calculationprograms and parameters executed by the microprocessor. The robotcontrol part 17 is electrically connected to the primary electric blower13, the center brush drive part 32, the drive part 16, and the dryingpart 18.

[Drying Part]

The drying part 18 dries the object that has the virus and moisture andis on the floor surface. In other words, the drying part 18 decreasesthe amount of water contained in the object. In the first embodiment,the drying part 18 comprises a dry adsorbent container 51 and a dryadsorbent dispersion means 52.

The object is dust to which the saliva containing a virus has adhered.Further, for example, the object may be saliva itself. Further, forexample, the object may be a dry adsorbent in which saliva has beenabsorbed.

The dry adsorbent container 51 is one example of a storing part forstoring the dry adsorbent. The dry adsorbent container 51 is detachablyprovided at the front part of the main body case 11. An opening 51 a isprovided on the front surface of the dry adsorbent container 51. The dryadsorbent is dispersed from the opening 51 a.

The dry adsorbent has a property of absorbing liquid. The dry adsorbentmay have a property of adsorbing the analyte. An example of the dryadsorbent is a superabsorbent polymer.

The dry adsorbent dispersion means 52 is one example of a dispersionpart for dispersing the dry adsorbent on the floor surface. The dryadsorbent dispersion means 52 is fluidically connected to the dryadsorbent container 51. The dry adsorbent dispersion means 52 dispersesthe dry adsorbent from the opening 51 a of the dry adsorbent container51 onto the floor surface in front of the autonomous collection device 2by sending air into the dry adsorbent container 51. An example of thedry adsorbent dispersion means 52 is a blower.

[Secondary Battery]

The secondary battery 19 is a power source of the autonomous collectiondevice 2. The secondary battery 19 is contained in the main body case11. The secondary battery 19 is a power source for the primary electricblower 13, the center brush drive part 32, the drive part 16, the robotcontrol part 17, and the drying part 18. For example, the secondarybattery 19 is disposed between the turning wheel 46 and the suctionopening 36. The secondary battery 19 is electrically connected to a pairof charging terminals 47 arranged on the bottom surface 11 a of the mainbody case 11. The secondary battery 19 is charged when the chargingterminals 47 are electrically connected to the charging electrodes 3 ofthe station device 5.

The center brush 31 is provided in the vicinity of the suction opening36. The center brush 31 is an axial brush capable of rotating around arotation center line extending in the width direction of the main bodycase 11. The center brush 31 comprises, for example, a long shaft part(not shown) and a plurality of brushes (not shown) that extend in theradial direction of the shaft part and are helically arranged along thelongitudinal direction of the shaft part. The center brush 31 isprovided in a recess part having the suction opening 36. The centerbrush 31 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 11 a of the mainbody case 11. In a state where the autonomous collection device 2 isplaced on the floor surface, at least one of the plurality of thebrushes included in the center brush 31 is contact with the floorsurface.

The center brush drive part 32 is contained in the main body case 11. Inthe first embodiment, the center brush drive part 32 is an electricmotor capable of rotating the center brush 31.

[Details of Station Device]

Next, the station device 5 according to the first embodiment will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows aschematic diagram of the station device according to the firstembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the station device 5 comprises a pedestal21, a housing 22, and a power cord 29 through which power from acommercial AC power supply passes.

The pedestal 21 is disposed on the front side of the station device 5,protrudes from the housing 22, and extends in a rectangular shape. Thepedestal 21 comprises a high floor surface part 61 projecting from thebottom of the housing 22 and a low floor surface part 62 projecting fromthe high floor surface part 61. The low floor surface part 62 and thehigh floor surface part 61 extend in a strip shape along the widthdirection of the station device 5. The pair of the charging electrodes3, an inlet 25 a of a transfer pipe 25, and a lever 26 are disposed onthe high floor surface part 61.

The pair of the charging electrodes 3 are arranged so as to sandwich theinlet 25 a of the transfer pipe 25 therebetween. The pair of thecharging electrodes 3 are disposed in front of the left and right edgesof a recess part 71. The autonomous collection device 2 reaches the homeposition in such a way that the pair of the drive wheels 45 ride on thelow floor surface part 62 and that the dust container 12 is positionedabove the high floor surface part 61.

The home position means a position where the autonomous collectiondevice 2 is electrically connected to the charging electrodes 3 of thestation device 5. The autonomous collection device 2 autonomouslyreturns to this home position in at least one case where charging isnecessary and cleaning of the floor surface is completed.

The housing 22 is positioned at the rear side part of the station device5, extends upwards beyond the pedestal 21, and has a rounded rectangularshape. The front wall of the housing 22 comprises the recess part 71which has a shape of an arc and corresponds to the rear end part of theautonomous collection device 2. The inlet 25 a of the transfer pipe 25extends from the high floor surface part 61 of the pedestal 21 to therecess part 71.

The recess part 71 is provided with a detection part 72 for detectingwhether or not the autonomous collection device 2 has reached the homeposition. The detection part 72 is an objective sensor for detecting arelative distance from the autonomous collection device 2 using visiblelight or infrared light. The detection part 72 comprise a first sensorpart 73 for detecting a relative distance from the autonomous collectiondevice 2 in the front direction of the housing 22 and a second sensorpart 75 for detecting a relative distance from the autonomous collectiondevice 2 in the height direction of the housing 22. In FIG. 1 and FIG.3, the front direction of the housing 22 is the X direction. The heightdirection of the housing 22 is the Z direction.

The housing 22 comprises a lid 82 for covering a virus detection part 68contained in the housing 22. The lid 82 opens and closes a part of theceiling of the housing 22, specifically, the right half thereof. Thevirus detection part 68 is disposed below the lid 82.

Further, a lamp 81 is provided on the top surface of the housing 22. Thelamp 81 is one example of a presentation part for presenting a detectionresult provided by the virus detection part 68. The lamp 81 is lit in amanner corresponding to the detection result. For example, the lamp 81turns on when a virus is detected, and turns off when no virus isdetected. Alternatively, the lamp 81 emits red light when a virus isdetected, and emits green light when no virus is detected. In place ofthese, the lamp 81 blinks when a virus is detected and does not blinkwhen a virus is not detected. In place of the lamp 81, for example, thestation device 5 may display the detection result using a display.Alternatively, the station device 5 may output a sound which notifyprovision of a detection result using a speaker. Specifically, thestation device 5 may output a warning sound when a virus is detected.The station device 5 does not have to present the detection result. Thestation device 5 may transmit data of the detection result to anotherdevice.

[Inside of Housing]

Here, the inside of the housing 22 will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A. FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross-sectionalview of the station device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5Ashows a transverse cross-sectional view of the station device accordingto the first embodiment. In FIG. 5A, the inside of the virus detectionpart 68 is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A, the housing 22 contains the transferpipe 25, the virus detection part 68, a secondary electric blower 69, adownstream pipe 85, and a control part 93. The lid 82 is attached to thehousing 22. As shown in FIG. 5A, the housing 22 has a detection partchamber 95 that contains the virus detection part 68 on the right sidethereof. The housing 22 has a blower chamber 96 that contains thesecondary electric blower 69 on the left side thereof.

The virus detection part 68 is one example of a substance detection partfor detecting the analyte from the object transferred from the dustcontainer 12 of the autonomous collection device 2 through the transferpipe 25. Details of the virus detection part 68 will be described laterwith reference to FIG. 6.

The secondary electric blower 69 sucks the object from the dustcontainer 12 of the autonomous collection device 2 through the transferpipe 25. Specifically, the secondary electric blower 69 is contained inthe housing 22 in such a way that a suction port of the secondaryelectric blower 69 faces the lid 82. The secondary electric blower 69generates the suction negative pressure in the transfer pipe 25 throughthe virus detection part 68.

As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer pipe 25 extends rearward from the inlet25 a disposed in the high floor surface part 61 of the pedestal 21 andreaches the inside of the housing 22. The transfer pipe 25 is bent inthe housing 22. The transfer pipe 25 extends upward between thedetection part chamber 95 and the blower chamber 96 and reaches the sideof the virus detection part 68. The transfer pipe 25 has the inlet 25 athat opens toward a part located above the station device 5 and anoutlet 25 c that opens sideways toward the virus detection part 68.

An annular seal member 25 b is provided at the inlet 25 a of thetransfer pipe 25. The annular seal member 25 b is brought into contactwith the connection part 39 of the dust container 12 and is airtightlyconnected to the disposal opening 41, when the autonomous collectiondevice 2 is located at the home position. The seal member 25 b is inclose contact with the connection part 39 in a state where theautonomous collection device 2 is located at the home position.

The lever 26 disposed at the inlet 25 a of the transfer pipe 25comprises a hook 97 extending in the front direction of the housing 22and upward. The lever 26 mechanically opens and closes the disposal lid42 of the autonomous collection device 2 using the hook 97.

The virus detection part 68 comprises a detection part housing 102. Adischarge pipe 103 is connected to the opening on the top surface of thedetection part housing 102. A suction port 101 is provided on the sidesurface of the detection part housing 102. The inside of the virusdetection part 68 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

An inlet 103 a of the discharge pipe 103 is connected to an opening onthe top surface of the detection part housing 102. An outlet 103 b ofthe discharge pipe 103 is connected to the inlet of the downstream pipe85.

The downstream pipe 85 is an air passage on the suction side of thesecondary electric blower 69. The downstream pipe 85 is disposed abovethe transfer pipe 25 and extends in the width direction in the housing22. The inlet of the downstream pipe 85 is connected to the outlet 103 bof the discharge pipe 103 of the virus detection part 68. The outlet ofthe downstream pipe 85 is connected to the suction port of the secondaryelectric blower 69.

The lid 82 is swingably provided on the top surface of the housing 22.The lid 82 opens and closes the opening on the top surface of thedetection part chamber 95 that contains the virus detection part 68.

When the autonomous collection device 2 returns to the home position ofthe station device 5, the charging terminals 47 of the autonomouscollection device 2 are electrically connected to the chargingelectrodes 3 of the station device 5. At this time, the inlet 25 a ofthe transfer pipe 25 of the station device 5 is connected to theconnection part 39 of the dust container 12 of the autonomous collectiondevice 2. After that, the control part 93 of the station device 5 drivesthe secondary electric blower 69 to suck air in the direction of thearrow C included in FIGS. 4 and 5A, and to move the object from the dustcontainer 12 to the virus detection part 68.

[Inside of Virus Detection Part]

Next, the inside of the virus detection part 68 will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of theinternal structure of the virus detection part according to the firstembodiment.

The virus detection part 68 comprises the detection part housing 102, aseparation part 105, an analysis device 110, and a determination part111.

The detection part housing 102 has a substantially rectangularparallelepiped shape. The detection part housing 102 contains theseparation part 105, the analysis device 110, and the determination part111. The suction port 101 to which the outlet 25 c of the transfer pipe25 is connected is provided on the side surface of the detection parthousing 102. An opening to which the inlet 103 a of the discharge pipe103 is connected is provided on the top surface of the detection parthousing 102.

The separation part 105 extracts a virus from the object transferredthrough the transfer pipe 25. Specifically, the separation part 105comprises a cyclone part 106, an extraction part 107, an introductionpipe 108, and a valve 109.

The opening on the side surface of the cyclone part 106 is connected tothe suction port 101. The opening on the top surface of the cyclone part106 is connected to the discharge pipe 103. Therefore, when thesecondary electric blower 69 is activated, the object is sucked into thecyclone part 106 together with air from the dust container 12 of theautonomous collection device 2. The air and the object sucked into thecyclone part 106 are swirled in the cyclone part 106. As a result, theair is discharged to the upper discharge pipe 103, whereas the objectfalls to the extraction part 107, which is located downward. In thisway, the object is separated from the air using the centrifugal force inthe cyclone part 106. In place of using the secondary electric blower69, the primary electric blower 13 of the autonomous collection device 2may be reversely rotated to send air to the dust container 12 and todischarge the object from the dust container 12 to the station device 5.

The extraction part 107 extracts the virus from the object separated bythe cyclone part 106 into an extraction liquid. The extraction part 107is disposed below the cyclone part 106. The extraction liquid forextracting the virus is supplied in advance to the extraction part 107.The object separated by the cyclone part 106 falls into the extractionliquid in the extraction part 107. Then, a virus is extracted from theobject with the extraction liquid. In this way, a sample liquidcontaining the extraction liquid, the object, and the virus is preparedin the extraction part 107.

The sample liquid is dropped onto the analysis device 110 through theintroduction pipe 108. The introduction pipe 108 is connected below theextraction part 107.

The valve 109 is provided in the middle of the introduction pipe 108.The dropping of the sample liquid is controlled by opening and closingthe valve 109.

The analysis device 110 analyzes the sample liquid. An example of theanalysis device 110 is an immunochromatographic device. The virus isdetected through a reaction that occurs in a liquid using theimmunochromatographic device. Any sensor may be used as the analysisdevice 110. For example, a sensor using surface plasmon-field enhancedfluorescence spectroscopy may be used as the analysis device 110.

The determination part 111 determines the presence or absence of thevirus on the basis of the analysis result provided using the analysisdevice 110. Specifically, the determination part 111 comprises an imagesensor 112, a light emitting part 113, and a controller 114 thatcontrols the image sensor 112 and the light emitting part 113 andanalyzes an image.

An example of the image sensor 112 is a solid-state imaging device suchas a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementarymetal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. An image of the analysisdevice 110 is captured using the image sensor 112.

The light emitting part 113 is a light source for irradiating theanalysis device 110 with light.

The controller 114 controls the light emitting part 113 and the imagesensor 112 in such a way that the light emitting part 113 irradiates theanalysis device 110 with light and that the image sensor 112 captures animage of the analysis device 110. Further, the controller 114 analyzesthe captured image. Specifically, the controller 114 determines thepresence or absence of the virus by determining whether or not a redline is generated in the analysis device 110 on the basis of the image.

[Operation of Detection Device]

Next, the operation of the detection device 1 will be described withreference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the detection device accordingto the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a process diagram of the operation ofthe detection device according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter,with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the processing from the suction ofthe object from the floor surface by the autonomous collection device 2to the virus analysis and determination by the station device 5 in thefirst embodiment will be described.

First, the autonomous collection device 2 autonomously moves the floorsurface and disperses the dry adsorbent on the floor surface (S101).Specifically, the robot control part 17 controls the dry adsorbentdispersion means 52 to send air into the dry adsorbent container 51,thereby discharging the dry adsorbent from the opening 51 a. In place ofusing the dry adsorbent dispersion means 52, the dry adsorbent may bedispersed using the primary electric blower 13.

Next, the autonomous collection device 2 moves to the position where thedry adsorbent has been dispersed, and then sucks the object dried by thedry adsorbent (S102). Specifically, the robot control part 17 controlsthe primary electric blower 13 to generate the suction negativepressure. In this way, the object is sucked from the suction opening 36,and then the object dried by the drying part 18 is stored in the dustcontainer 12.

Thereafter, the autonomous collection device 2 moves to the homeposition of the station device 5 (S103). As a result, the dust container12 of the autonomous collection device 2 is fluidically connected to thetransfer pipe 25 of the station device 5.

The station device 5 transfers the object stored in the dust container12 of the autonomous collection device 2 to the cyclone part 106 of thevirus detection part 68 (S104). Specifically, the control part 93 of thestation device 5 controls the secondary electric blower 69 to suck theobject from the dust container 12, thereby transferring the objecttogether with air to the cyclone part 106 of the virus detection part68.

The virus detection part 68 detects the virus contained in the objecttransferred from the dust container 12 of the autonomous collectiondevice 2 (S105). Hereinafter, detection of the virus will be describedin detail with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the virus detection partaccording to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a process diagram of theoperation of the virus detection part according to the first embodiment.

The cyclone part 106 separates the sucked object from the air (S201).

Specifically, the cyclone part 106 separates the air and the objectupward and downward, respectively, using centrifugal force generated bythe suction of the secondary electric blower 69. In place of using thecyclone part 106, the object may be separated from the air through afilter.

The extraction part 107 extracts the virus from the separated object(S202). Specifically, the control part 93 stops the suction conducted bythe secondary electric blower 69. The object separated by the cyclonepart 106 is mixed with the extraction liquid supplied in advance to theextraction part 107. The virus is extracted from the mixture of theobject and the extraction liquid.

The controller 114 drops the sample liquid onto the analysis device 110(S203). Specifically, the controller 114 opens the valve 109 for acertain period of time to drop the sample liquid onto the analysisdevice 110. Further, the controller 114 closes the valve 109 after thecertain period of time, and then moves the region of the analysis device110 onto which the sample liquid has been dropped to an imaging region.The virus in the dropped sample liquid reacts with a labeled antibody onthe analysis device 110. The labeled antibody is, for example, acolloidal gold labeled antibody.

The determination part 111 determines the presence or absence of thevirus in the sample liquid (S204). Specifically, the controller 114captures an image of the imaging region using the image sensor 112 andthe light emitting part 113. An antibody is immobilized on the imagingregion. The immobilized antibody binds to the virus that has reactedwith the labeled antibody. As a result, a red line appears on theanalysis device 110. Therefore, the controller 114 analyzes the capturedimage to determine whether or not the analysis device 110 has a redline. Here, if it is determined that the red line is present, thecontroller 114 determines that the sample liquid contains the virus. Onthe other hand, if it is determined that the red line is absent, thecontroller 114 determines that the sample liquid does not contain thevirus. Thereafter, the controller 114 presents the determination resultto the lamp 81. The virus detection part 68 may be included in thestation device 5; however, alternatively, the virus detection part 68may be included in the autonomous collection device 2. In this case, theautonomous collection device 2 can effectively collect the virus anddetect the collected virus.

Summary of First Embodiment

As described above, the detection device 1 according to the firstembodiment comprises the autonomous collection device 2 and the stationdevice 5. The autonomous collection device 2 autonomously moves on thefloor surface and collects the object on the floor surface. The stationdevice 5 detects the analyte from the object collected from the floorsurface by the autonomous collection device 2. The autonomous collectiondevice 2 comprises the moving part 15 for moving on the floor surface,the primary electric blower 13 for sucking the object on the floorsurface, and the dust container 12 for storing the sucked object. Thestation device 5 comprises the transfer pipe 25 which is fluidicallyconnected to the dust container 12 of the autonomous collection device2, when the autonomous collection device 2 is located at the homeposition, and the virus detection part 68 for detecting the analyte fromthe object transferred from the dust container 12 through the transferpipe 25.

Such a detection device 1 collects the object on the floor surface anddetects the analyte from the collected object. Many of the secretions,including pathogens such as a virus spread in air by coughing orsneezing, fall onto the floor surface. In the first embodiment, theobject on the floor surface is collected, and then the analyte isdetected from the collected object. In this way, the analyte is allowedto be detected effectively.

In the detection device 1 according to the first embodiment, the virusdetection part 68 includes the cyclone part 106 for separating theobject from the air using centrifugal force, and the extraction part 107for extracting the analyte from the object separated by the cyclone part106.

Thereby, the analyte is allowed to be easily extracted from the objecttransferred with the air.

In the detection device 1 according to the first embodiment, the virusdetection part 68 detects the analyte using the reaction that occurs ina liquid.

Thereby, the analyte is allowed to be detected using the liquid.

The station device 5 of the detection device 1 according to the firstembodiment further comprises the lamp 81 for presenting a detectionresult provided by the virus detection part 68.

Thereby, the detection result is allowed to be presented quickly to auser, and the spread of the virus infection is allowed to be suppressed.

The autonomous collection device 2 collects the analyte from the floorsurface on which the object having the analyte and moisture is present.The autonomous collection device 2 comprises the drying part 18 fordrying the object, the primary electric blower 13 for sucking the objectdried by the drying part 18, and the dust container 12 for storing theobject sucked by the primary electric blower 13.

Thereby, the object which is difficult to be sucked due to watercontained therein is allowed to be dried and then sucked. Therefore, itis possible to improve the ability to collect the object including theanalyte, and to collect the analyte effectively.

In the autonomous collection device 2, the drying part 18 includes thedry adsorbent container 51 for storing the dry adsorbent for drying theobject and the dry adsorbent dispersion means 52 for dispersing the dryadsorbent stored in the dry adsorbent container 51 on the floor surface.

Thereby, the dry adsorbent is allowed to be dispersed on the floorsurface, and the object on the floor surface is allowed to be dried withthe dry adsorbent and then sucked. Therefore, it is possible to improvethe ability to collect the object including the analyte, and to collectthe analyte effectively.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described. The secondembodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the amount ofthe object to be transferred from the autonomous collection device 2 tothe station device is adjusted.

[Details of Station Device]

The station device will be specifically described with reference to FIG.5A and FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of thestation device 5A according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the station device 5A according to the secondembodiment comprises a control part 93A in place of the control part 93.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the station device 5A comprises a dustsensor 121A in the middle of the transfer pipe 25.

The dust sensor 121A detects the object being transferred through thetransfer pipe 25. In the second embodiment, the dust sensor 121Acomprises a light emitting element 122A for irradiating the inside ofthe transfer pipe 25 with light and a light receiving element 123Aprovided so as to face the light emitting element 122A. The lightreceiving element 123A outputs an electric signal having a levelcorresponding to the amount of received light to the control part 93A.

The control part 93A is one example of an adjustment part for adjustingthe amount of the object transferred from the dust container 12 to thevirus detection part 68. In the second embodiment, the control part 93Adetects a temporal change in the amount of the light received by thelight receiving element 123A that depends on the transfer amount of theobject which passes between the light emitting element 122A and thelight receiving element 123A on the basis of the electric signal inputfrom the light receiving element 123A to measure the transfer amount ofthe object in the transfer pipe 25. The control part 93A stops theoperation of the secondary electric blower 69 to stop the suction of theobject from the dust container 12, when the measured transfer amount ofthe object exceeds a predetermined threshold amount. The predeterminedthreshold amount is determined based on the processing capability of thevirus detection part 68.

[Details of Transfer Process]

Next, the operation of the station device 5A will be described. Thebasic operation of the station device 5A is the same as the operation inthe first embodiment (see FIG. 7). Details of the object transferprocess (S104) will be described below with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a transfer process of the object in the secondembodiment. Specifically, FIG. 12 shows details of the process of stepS104 in the second embodiment.

First, the control part 93A measures the transfer amount of the objectin the transfer pipe 25 based on the output signal output from the dustsensor 121A (S301). The control part 93A determines whether or not themeasured transfer amount of the object is less than the threshold amount(S302).

If the transfer amount is equal to or greater than the threshold amount(No in S302), the control part 93A stops the suction conducted by thesecondary electric blower 69 to complete the transfer process of theobject.

On the other hand, if the transfer amount is less than the thresholdamount (Yes in S302), the control part 93A determines whether or not thetransfer is completed (S303). For example, the control part 93Adetermines whether or not to complete the transfer on the basis of atleast one selected from the group consisting of a transfer time and theinput signal from the autonomous collection device 2. For example, thecontrol part 93A may determine whether or not to complete the transferon the basis of a comparison result between an elapsed time from thestart of the suction by the secondary electric blower 69 and apredetermined threshold time. Alternatively, the control part 93A maydetermine whether or not to complete the transfer on the basis of aninput signal indicating that the dust container 12 is empty.

If it is determined that the transfer is not completed (No in S303), thecontrol part 93A continues the suction conducted by the secondaryelectric blower 69 (return to S301). On the other hand, if it isdetermined that the transfer is completed (Yes in S303), the controlpart 93A stops the suction conducted by the secondary electric blower 69to complete the transfer process of the object.

Summary of Second Embodiment

As described above, in the second embodiment, the station device 5Acomprises the control part 93A for adjusting the amount of the object tobe transferred from the dust container 12 to the virus detection part68.

Thereby, the station device 5A does not have to transfer all the objectsin the dust container 12 to the virus detection part 68, and cantransfer adjust an amount the object, depending on the capability of thevirus detection part 68. Therefore, the virus detection part 68 candetect the analyte more effectively.

In the second embodiment, the transfer amount of the object is measuredby a photoelectric sensor such as the light receiving element 123A.However, the transfer amount of the object may be measured by a methodother than the method using the photoelectric sensor. For example, thetransfer amount of the object may be measured by measuring a change inthe weight of the virus detection part 68 using a weight sensor. Inorder to adjust the transfer amount, it is not necessarily needed tomeasure the transfer amount. For example, the transfer amount may beadjusted by controlling the transfer time. Specifically, for example,the secondary electric blower 69 may suck the object only for apredetermined time in a state where the object is sufficiently stored inthe dust container 12.

Third Embodiment

Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described. The thirdembodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the movementof the autonomous collection device on the floor surface and thecollection of the object on the floor surface are started, when a soundgenerated when a human released the analyte is detected. In the presentspecification, the sound generated when a human releases the analyte isreferred to as a “released sound”.

[Details of Autonomous Collection Device]

FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of an autonomous collection device 2Bin the third embodiment. The autonomous collection device 2B comprises amicrophone 131B on the top surface of the main body case 11.

The microphone 131B converts sound into an electric signal. Themicrophone 131B outputs the electric signal to a robot control part 17B.

The robot control part 17B processes the output signal of the microphone131B to detect a released sound generated when a human releases thevirus. The released sound is, for example, a cough or sneeze sound. Forexample, the robot control part 17B detects the released sound byanalyzing the output signal of the microphone 131B on the basis of thefrequency thereof. The method for detecting the released sound is notlimited.

When the robot control part 17B detects the released sound, the robotcontrol part 17B controls the moving part 15 to start the movement ofthe autonomous collection device 2B on the floor surface and thecollection of the object on the floor surface. For example, when therobot control part 17B detects the released sound in a state where therobot control part 17B is located at the home position, the robotcontrol part 17B starts moving from the home position.

Summary of Third Embodiment

As described above, in the third embodiment, the autonomous collectiondevice 2B comprises the microphone 131B for detecting the released soundgenerated when the human releases the analyte and the robot control part17B. When the robot control part 17B detects the released sound throughthe microphone 131B, the robot control part 17B controls the moving part15 to start the movement of the autonomous collection device 2B on thefloor surface and the collection of the object.

Thereby, when the coughing or sneezing sound is detected, the autonomouscollection device 2B starts the collection of the object. Therefore,after the secretion containing the analyte is scattered on the floorsurface, the analyte is allowed to be quickly collected from the floorsurface. In this way, the analyte can be detected more effectively.

The microphone 131B may include a plurality of directional microphoneseach having directivity. In this case, the robot control part 17B maydetect a direction in which the released sound is generated by comparingthe output signals of the plurality of the directional microphones.Then, the robot control part 17B may move the autonomous collectiondevice 2B in the detected direction.

Fourth Embodiment

Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described. The fourthembodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in that airis blown to the object on the floor surface in order to dry the objecton the floor surface.

[Details of Autonomous Collection Device]

FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of a bottom surface of an autonomouscollection device 2C according to the fourth embodiment. As shown inFIG. 14, the bottom surface 11 a of the main body case 11 comprises thesuction opening 36 and a blowing opening 141C.

The blowing opening 141C is one example of a first blowing part fordrying the object by blowing air to the object on the floor surface. Theblowing opening 141C doubles as an exhaust opening through which airsucked together with the object from the suction opening 36 isdischarged. In other words, at least a part of the air sucked from thesuction opening 36 is discharged from the blowing opening 141C and isblown to the object on the floor surface. Thereby, the object on thefloor surface is sucked from the suction opening 36 after dried.

Summary of Fourth Embodiment

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the autonomous collectiondevice 2C is provided in front of the suction opening 36 for sucking theobject. The autonomous collection device 2C includes the blowing opening141C for drying the object by blowing air to the object on the floorsurface.

In the autonomous collection device 2C according to the fourthembodiment, air can be blown to the object on the floor surface to dryit, and then the object is sucked. Therefore, it is possible to improvethe ability to collect the object including the analyte, and to collectthe analyte effectively.

In the fourth embodiment, the blowing opening 141C doubles as theexhaust opening through which the air sucked together with the object bythe primary electric blower 13 is discharged.

Thereby, the object can be dried using the exhaust gas generated by theintake air for sucking the object. Therefore, it is not necessary toprovide a dedicated electric blower for drying, and the configuration ofthe autonomous collection device 2C can be simplified.

Fifth Embodiment

Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described. The fifthembodiment is different from the first to fourth embodiments in that airis blown to the brush to dry the object attached to the brush.

[Details of Autonomous Collection Device]

FIG. 15 shows a schematic view of a bottom surface of an autonomouscollection device 2D in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 shows across-sectional view of the suction opening 36, a blowing opening 151D,and the vicinity thereof which are included in the autonomous collectiondevice 2D in the fifth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, a center brush 31 is provided in thevicinity of the suction opening 36 on the bottom surface 11 a of themain body case 11. In the fifth embodiment, the bottom surface 11 a ofthe main body case 11 is provided with a recess part 152D. A part of thecenter brush 31 is contained in the recess part 152D. The suctionopening 36 and the blowing opening 151D are provided in the recess part152D.

The blowing opening 151D is one example of a second blowing part fordrying the object attached to the center brush 31 by blowing air on thecenter brush 31. The blowing opening 151D doubles as the exhaust openingthrough which air sucked together with the object from the suctionopening 36 is discharged. In other words, at least a part of the airsucked from the suction opening 36 is discharged from the blowingopening 151D and blown to the center brush 31. As a result, the objectattached to the center brush 31 is dried and then sucked from thesuction opening 36. In the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment,the blowing opening may be provided separately from the exhaust opening.

Summary of Fifth Embodiment

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the autonomous collectiondevice 2D comprises the center brush 31 provided in the vicinity of thesuction opening 36 through which the object is sucked and the blowingopening 151D for drying the object attached to the center brush 31 byblowing air to the center brush 31.

In the fifth embodiment, the object containing moisture attached to thecenter brush 31 can be dried. Therefore, the object attached to thecenter brush 31 can be easily sucked from the suction opening 36, theability to collect the object including the analyte can be improved, andthe analyte can be effectively collected.

In the fifth embodiment, the blowing opening 151D doubles as an exhaustopening through which the air sucked by the primary electric blower 13together with the object is discharged.

Thereby, the object can be dried using the exhaust gas generated by theintake air for sucking the object. Therefore, it is not necessary toprovide a dedicated electric blower for drying, and the configuration ofthe autonomous collection device 2D can be simplified.

Sixth Embodiment

Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described. In the sixthembodiment, the station device comprises a storage part for storing theobject between the dust container of the autonomous collection deviceand the virus detection part.

FIG. 5B shows a transverse cross-sectional view of a station device 5Eaccording to the sixth embodiment. The station device 5E comprises astorage part 160E, a virus detection part 68E, and valves 161E to 163E.The storage part 160E has a suction port 101E to which the outlet 25 cof the transfer pipe 25 is connected. The storage part 160E is connectedto the discharge pipe 103 through the valve 161E. The storage part 160Eis connected to the virus detection part 68E through the valve 163E. Thevirus detection part 68E is connected to the discharge pipe 103 throughthe valve 162E. The control part 93 opens the valve 161E, closes thevalves 162E and 163E, and then operates the secondary electric blower 69to transfer the object from the dust container 12 of the autonomouscollection device 2 to the storage part 160E. Thereafter, the controlpart 93 closes the valve 161E, opens the valves 162E and 163E, and thenoperates the secondary electric blower 69 to transfer the object fromthe storage part 160E to the virus detection part 68E. In this way, thestation device 5E can temporarily store the object transferred from theautonomous collection device 2 in the storage part 160E, and effectivelydetects the virus, depending on the processing capability of the virusdetection part 68E.

Others

Several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above.These embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments are allowed tobe implemented in various other forms. Various omissions, replacements,and changes can be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included inthe scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the inventiondescribed in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In order to decrease the risk of the virus infection to people stayingin the room, the present disclosure provides an autonomous collectiondevice for collecting an object including moisture (e.g., saliva drainedonto the floor surface due to coughing or sneezing).

REFERENTIAL SIGNS LIST

-   -   1 Detection device    -   2, 2B, 2C, 2D Autonomous collection device    -   3 Charging electrode    -   5, 5A, 5E Station device    -   11 Main body case    -   11 a Bottom surface    -   12 Dust container    -   13 Primary electric blower    -   15 Moving part    -   16 Drive part    -   17, 17B Robot control part    -   18 Drying part    -   19 Secondary battery    -   21 Pedestal    -   22 Housing    -   25 Transfer pipe    -   25 a Inlet    -   25 b Seal member    -   25 c Outlet    -   26 Lever    -   29 Power cord    -   31 Center brush    -   32 Center brush drive part    -   36 Suction opening    -   37 Dust container opening    -   38 Container Main body    -   39 Connection part    -   41 Disposal opening    -   42 Disposal lid    -   45 Pair of drive wheels    -   46 Turning wheel    -   47 Charging terminal    -   51 Dry adsorbent container    -   51 a Opening    -   52 Dry adsorbent dispersion means    -   61 High floor surface part    -   62 Low floor surface part    -   68 Virus detection part    -   69 Secondary electric blower    -   71 Recess part    -   72 Detection part    -   73 First sensor part    -   75 Second sensor part    -   81 Lamp    -   82 Lid    -   85 Downstream pipe    -   93, 93A Control part    -   95 Detection part chamber    -   96 Blower chamber    -   97 Hook    -   101, 101E Suction port    -   102 Detection part housing    -   103 Discharge pipe    -   103 a Inlet    -   103 b Outlet    -   105 Separation part    -   106 Cyclone part    -   107 Extraction part    -   108 Introduction pipe    -   109, 161E, 162E, 163E Valve    -   110 Analysis device    -   111 Determination part    -   112 Image sensor    -   113 Light emitting part    -   114 Controller    -   121A Dust sensor    -   131B Microphone    -   141C, 151D Blowing opening    -   152D Recess part    -   160E Storage part

1. A collection device for collecting an object having an analyte andmoisture from a floor surface, the collection device comprising: adrying part for drying the object; a suction part for sucking the objectdried by the drying part; and a storage part for storing the objectsucked by the suction part.
 2. The collection device according to claim1, wherein the drying part comprises: a storing part for storing a dryadsorbent for drying the object; and a dispersion part for dispersingthe dry adsorbent stored in the storing part onto the floor surface. 3.The collection device according to claim 1, wherein the drying partcomprises a first blowing part which is provided in front of a suctionopening for sucking the object and is provided for drying the object byblowing air to the object on the floor surface.
 4. The collection deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the first blowing part doubles as anexhaust part for discharging air sucked together with the object by thesuction part.
 5. The collection device according to claim 1, wherein thecollection device further comprises a brush provided in a vicinity of asuction opening for sucking the object; and the drying part includes asecond blowing part for drying the object attached to the brush byblowing air to the brush.
 6. The collection device according to claim 5,wherein the second blowing part doubles as an exhaust part fordischarging air sucked together with the object by the suction part. 7.The collection device according to claim 1, wherein the collectiondevice further comprises a substance detection part for detecting theanalyte from the collected object.
 8. A detection device, comprising: acollection device according to claim 1; and a detection instrument forconnecting fluidically to the collection device when the collectiondevice moves to a predetermined position, for acquiring the objectstored in the storage part, and for detecting the analyte from theacquired object.